Bolivar, Texas
Encyclopedia
Bolivar is an unincorporated community
in northern Denton County
, Texas
, United States
, at the intersection of Farm Roads 2450 and 455, 14 miles northwest of Denton
, on Clear Creek.
, suggested the renaming of the town and persuaded residents to vote for the name Bolivar by providing them free rum
.
John Simpson Chisum ranched near Bolivar but moved his herds in 1863 to West Texas. Bolivar was three miles east of the Chisholm Trail
, which ran through nearby cattle ranches. Cowboys on the trail came to Bolivar to stay at its hotel and patronize its saloons.
Development of the community was slow but steady until 1886. In that year, Bolivar merchants moved their businesses to Sanger, on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway—locals say Bolivar residents opposed giving up land for the railroad, whereas nearby Sanger, Texas
to the east was much more accommodating.
From 1900 until 1940 Bolivar remained a small community of farmers. The economy received a slight boost from oil production during the 1940s and early 1950s. At one time 40 oilfields were in and around the community. In 1947 Bolivar had 115 residents. As the production of oil declined, however, so did the population. In 1980 a post office, a convenience store, and 40 residents remained.
In 1990 and in 2000 the population was still recorded as 40. Institutions include a gas station/cafe, a Southern Baptist Church, a non-denominational church, a sand company, and a veterinary clinic.
, with all schools in Sanger, serves area students.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in northern Denton County
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, at the intersection of Farm Roads 2450 and 455, 14 miles northwest of Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, on Clear Creek.
History
The community was founded as New Prospect in 1859. William Crawford sold the site to Hiram Daily, a Methodist minister and doctor, who opened a general store, and laid out and named the town. In 1861 Ben Brown, a farmer who had moved from Bolivar, TennesseeBolivar, Tennessee
Bolivar is a city in Hardeman County, Tennessee, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,802. It is the county seat of Hardeman County. The town was named for South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, but is pronounced to rhyme with the name Oliver. Bolivar...
, suggested the renaming of the town and persuaded residents to vote for the name Bolivar by providing them free rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
.
John Simpson Chisum ranched near Bolivar but moved his herds in 1863 to West Texas. Bolivar was three miles east of the Chisholm Trail
Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail was a trail used in the late 19th century to drive cattle overland from ranches in Texas to Kansas railheads. The portion of the trail marked by Jesse Chisholm went from his southern trading post near the Red River, to his northern trading post near Kansas City, Kansas...
, which ran through nearby cattle ranches. Cowboys on the trail came to Bolivar to stay at its hotel and patronize its saloons.
Development of the community was slow but steady until 1886. In that year, Bolivar merchants moved their businesses to Sanger, on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway—locals say Bolivar residents opposed giving up land for the railroad, whereas nearby Sanger, Texas
Sanger, Texas
Sanger is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,534 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population was 6,200. -Geography:Sanger is located at ....
to the east was much more accommodating.
From 1900 until 1940 Bolivar remained a small community of farmers. The economy received a slight boost from oil production during the 1940s and early 1950s. At one time 40 oilfields were in and around the community. In 1947 Bolivar had 115 residents. As the production of oil declined, however, so did the population. In 1980 a post office, a convenience store, and 40 residents remained.
In 1990 and in 2000 the population was still recorded as 40. Institutions include a gas station/cafe, a Southern Baptist Church, a non-denominational church, a sand company, and a veterinary clinic.
Education
The Sanger Independent School DistrictSanger Independent School District
Sanger Independent School District is a public school district based in Sanger, Texas .In addition to Sanger, the district serves the unincorporated community of Bolivar....
, with all schools in Sanger, serves area students.
External links
- Abelson, Frances Simpson and Rheba Rippey Marshall. A History of Bolivar.